Mexican Independence Day 2023: Your ultimate guide to celebrating in Phoenix

Mexican Independence Day is around the corner.

Celebrated on Sept. 16, the day is typically observed with an "El Grito" ceremony, mirroring the battle cry issued by Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1810, calling for townsfolk to rise up against Spanish rule.

Of the more than 30% of Latinos in Arizona, at least 89% are of Mexican origin, according to data from the UCLA Latino Policy Institute. Most are from Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Jalisco, Hidalgo, Guerrero, Mexico City and Oaxaca, according to the Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix.

Several cities in the Valley and across Arizona are gearing up to commemorate El Grito. Here's your ultimate guide on how and where to celebrate Mexican Independence Day in Arizona.

Mexican Independence Day:A celebration dear to Mexicans in the US

'El Grito' at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix

For the second year, the official ceremony of "El Grito" in honor of Mexico's Independence Day will be held at the state Capitol, in an event that will be free and open to the public.

The event, which starts at 8 p.m., will feature live mariachi and other performances, a community fair and dozens of Mexican food trucks.

The customary Independence Day call to arms will be given by the General Consul of Mexico in Phoenix, Jorge Mendoza Yescas.

Details: Sept. 15 from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at the Arizona Capitol, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix. Free.

Second only to "El Grito" at the state Capitol, this celebration in downtown Phoenix takes place that same night, with stellar performances by El Dasa and La Brazza Norteña, as well as Banda Guamuchil, El Domador and Banda La Experta. Other local artists also will perform.

The celebration promises to bring Mexico's cultural heritage to the city, creating an atmosphere of festivity, unity and community. The event is free and for all ages.

Attendees will be able to enjoy Mexican food, mariachi, wrestling, arts and crafts, and folklórico dancing from the Ollin Yoliztli Ballet.

Details: Sept. 15 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. in downtown Phoenix, Third Avenue and Adams Street. Free. https://elgritophoenix.com/

For the fifth consecutive year, the Arizona State University Art Museum will celebrate Mexican Independence Day.

In partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico, CALA Alliance and the School of Transborder Studies, the celebration of "El Grito" will be led by Consular Attaché of Mexico in Phoenix Armando Esparza.

Enjoy face painting, a workshop with artist Aileen Martinez, lottery games, dance lessons with the ASU Salsa Club, beats from DJ CRVNT3S and live music from Mariachi Valle del Sol.

Details: Sept. 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the ASU Art Museum, 51 E. 10th St. Tempe. Free. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mexican-independence-day-tickets-696210041977

The Arizona State University Symphony Orchestra will perform pieces by Gabriela Ortiz, José Pablo Moncayo and Silvestre Revueltas, to name a few, in honor of Mexican Independence Day. In addition, the ASU Mariachi led by Scott Glasser will perform, as well as Jaime Cuéllar's Mariachi Garibaldi as special guests of honor.

This concert is co-sponsored by ASU Gammage, the ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre, and the Herberger Institute for Culture and Access.

After the concert, head to the Music Building Lawn across the street where there will be food trucks, refreshments and a live DJ.

Details: Sept. 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. https://asugammage.com/shows-events/viva-mexico

There will be strolling mariachis, family crafts, face painting, readings from local authors and more. Take a cultures of the Americas tour with interactive presentations, learn moves from local lucha libre wrestlers, and experience different forms of Latin dance from salsa to ballet folklórico.

A barrio storytelling presentation, screen-printing class and art book workshop with Diana Calderon also are on tap.

Details: Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Free. 480-782-2800, www.chandleraz.gov/events/chandler-contigo-kickoff.

Mesa and the Consul General of Phoenix will celebrate Mexico's Independence Day at the Mesa Arts Center, complete with folklórico performances and Mexican food available for purchase.

Details: Sept. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. Free.

In this two-day celebration commemorating "El Grito," Casino Arizona will have musical performances of folklórico dances, the Mariachi Azteca de Oro, Soulitify Band, Gustavo Angeles Trio and more, along with authentic Mexican cuisine.

The Mexican Consulate in Tucson, in collaboration with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, will present a free classical music concert with pieces by Mexican and Latin American composers.

As part of the program, Consul General in Tucson Rafael Barceló Durazo will give the traditional Mexican Independence Day call to arms and present the Ohtli award, the highest distinction granted by the government of Mexico to people with outstanding community work who reside outside the country.

Details: Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. in the Linda Ronstadt Concert Hall at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., Tucson. Request tickets at [email protected] starting Sept. 1. Maximum four tickets.

Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at Presidio San Agustín with the dances of the Ballet Folklorico de Danzacultural Mexicana, mariachi performances, a lecture on Mexican Tucson by Mauro Trejo and, of course, "El Grito."

Details: Sept. 16 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Tucson Museum's Presidio San Agustín, 196 N. Court Ave. Tucson. Email to [email protected] or call 520-622-0594. https://tucsonpresidio.com/calendar/mexican-independence-day-celebration/

Every year, the nonprofit organization Corazón de Latinos Unidos commemorates Mexican Independence Day with this two-day event that will offer food, art activities for children, a car and motorcycle show, a parade and live music.

Details: Sept. 15 from noon to 10 p.m.; Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Main Street Park, 601 N. Main St., Eloy. Free. 520-431-3090. https://fiestaspatriascdlu.com/.